Minister for Social Welfare, Science & Technology and ARI Trainings Sajad Gani Lone, Monday, launched an exclusive pre-school curriculum titled “Nanhe Qadam” for adoption in all Anganwadi Centres in the State.The curriculum, comprising activity book and age-specific child assessment cards, will be implemented in all the Anganwadi Centres of the State.The Minister also inaugurated 3-day workshop on “Early Childhood and Care Education” (ECCE) on the occasion.Minister of State for Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education Asiea Naqash was also present.The 3-day workshop is being organised by the Mission Directorate of ICDS Department in collaboration with UNICEF. The aim of the workshop is to sensitize the field staff of ICDS on how to impart modern basic education and nutrition to the children.A galaxy of eminent educational experts of the country are participating in the workshop and would deliver lectures on the topic to sensitize the field functionaries about imparting basic education and nutrition to the children in the State.Speaking on the occasion, the Social Welfare Minister said that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2010, guarantees the children, above three years, their right to quality elementary and free pre-school education which is most important for their school preparedness.
The Minister said the Centre has already approved a National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy, which also includes the National Curriculum Framework and Quality Standards for ECCE. He said the policy is being now implemented in JK to help the children in imparting basic modern education which is need of the hour.The Minister appreciated the efforts of ICDS for organizing such a laudable venture which is first of its kind event in the State. He stressed the need for studying best models of pre-school system and gradually incorporating these in the state’s Anganwari centres. He also called for making Anganwari centres attractive for the children by providing refurbishing to these with colorful walls and articles which can attract the children. He said they need to be provided an enabling environment for learning and mental growth.Highlighting importance of ECCE, the Minister of State for Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education Asiea Naqash, saidthat it is one of the components which aimed at to psycho-social development of children and developing school readiness.
“Interventions in early childhood are proven to have long-term effects on future social adjustment and economic success and may even be passed on to subsequent generations” she maintained.Commissioner/Secretary Social Welfare Sajad Ahmad Khan also spoke on the occasion. He expressed the hope that the collaboration between school education and Social Welfare Department would lead to better early childhood experiences for a child.State Mission Director, ICDS, Talat Parvez Rohella, put forth an elaborate presentation on various aspects of ECCE focusing on the current initiatives undertaken by ICDS for strengthening ECCE in State. He said that in order to implement the curriculum across the State, 46 SLMTs and 311 DLMTs including Resource Persons from Education Department have been trained so far by the ICDS.Parvaz said that the ECCE will be initially launched in 1500 identified Model Anganwari Centres (AWCs) across the State on pilot basis. The learning experience, success and limitations in these AWCs shall determine the future strategy and implementation of ECCE in these AWCs. He said besides this, the department is also working on developing pre-school education kits for these AWCs. He said the department is keenly focused on making these AWCs as vibrant centre’s of joyful learning.